Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 5:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 5:05 p.m.

Bullet-proof doors and windows, security fencing, surveillance cameras, more armed law enforcement and even pepper spray could be in the cards for Marion County public schools.

And county residents could be asked to pay a sales tax to cover the cost.

The School Board on Thursday directed Superintendent George Tomyn to prepare a comprehensive report on the cost of those measures, all designed to beef up school security in the aftermath of the Connecticut mass shooting.

"I believe it's something that has to be addressed," board member Nancy Stacy said during a strategic planning workshop.

The money for the upgrades could be raised with a one-year, half-cent sales tax, she said.

"I do believe we are a compassionate community … and I do believe the public will back us on this," she said.

Stacy said if voters were told specifically what security steps the board wanted to take and how the money would be spent, voters would support a short-term tax.

Before beginning with the agenda for the workshop, board Chairman Ron Crawford discussed security issues.

Crawford said he would meet with elections officials to determine the cost of holding a special referendum vote about the sales tax and then report back to the board.

Stacy proposed investigating the logistics and cost of reinforcing classroom doors to make them bullet-proof to deter someone shooting his way into a room.

She also asked Tomyn to investigate the possibility of arming and training some staff in the use of pepper spray to defend school children and employees.

Crawford told fellow board members he recently calculated the cost to place security resource officers at all schools.

Currently, the board pays to place armed security personnel at the county's 18 middle schools and high schools. Crawford estimated it would cost nearly $900,000 to post similar security at elementary schools for the remainder of the school year.

Providing that level of security at all of the schools during 2013-14 would cost between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, Crawford said.

Currently, not all schools have security fencing, staff reported. Security fencing can cost upwards of $155,000, depending on the size of the area to be secured.

In addition, only 15 schools have surveillance cameras. Board members wanted to know the cost to upgrade all schools with that equipment.

Meanwhile, Tomyn told board members that the school system already has a security plan in place for emergencies.

Pointing to a thick, bound manual, Tomyn said, "It is more than just a document that sits on a shelf. I can assure you of that."

Tomyn said he met with local law enforcement about security and plans more meetings. Tomyn said putting guns in civilian hands is not the answer.

"We believe arming our employees is not a good option," he said. "(But) an armed law enforcement presence was probably the best deterrent."

Tomyn said he recently sent letters to school principals telling them to review their security procedures and to be available to parents who have questions.

Crawford told Tomyn he wanted an expedited "soup-to-nuts" approach to this security report, which should include costs and timetables.

"Children need to be safe and secure in the schools," Crawford said.

Contact Fred Hiers at 867-4157 or fred.hiers@starbanner.com.

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